California LS Swaps - E-Rod and CARB Compliance

[almostordinary]

Ahhh.... California. Just learned that the Wavian Jerry cans I run on the roof of my G55 are now illegal...

In other news...

Just got off the phone w the good folks at the BAR (Bureau of Auto Repair) and was informed that for any car 1995 and older I can go the route of the LS3 E-Rod crate motor.

The engine has an Executive Order number which permits the system (installed as a whole) to go through smog testing.

This is without having to go to the "referee" to inspect the vehicle, which is a real thing.

Wondering if anyone else has gone this route? The gentleman I talked to said it would still be a good idea to talk to a ref, which I will be doing Monday.

Still searching for a roller candidate, but getting all my ducks in a row before embarking on what will be a fun project.

[911euro]

Originally Posted by almostordinary

Ahhh.... California. Just learned that the Wavian Jerry cans I run on the roof of my G55 are now illegal...

In other news...

Just got off the phone w the good folks at the BAR (Bureau of Auto Repair) and was informed that for any car 1995 and older I can go the route of the LS3 E-Rod crate motor.

The engine has an Executive Order number which permits the system (installed as a whole) to go through smog testing.

This is without having to go to the "referee" to inspect the vehicle, which is a real thing.

Wondering if anyone else has gone this route? The gentleman I talked to said it would still be a good idea to talk to a ref, which I will be doing Monday.

Still searching for a roller candidate, but getting all my ducks in a row before embarking on what will be a fun project.

Any news that you can share with us, the ones who live in California ?


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[almostordinary]

Still waiting for a call back from the "ref", was slated for a call back last week. I'll ring the BAR again tomorrow and see when I can expect a call.

[almostordinary]

Just got off the phone with the Ref. Here's what he said.

1.) Download and read the entire manual for the e-rod. Just follow all of the instructions and you will be fine.

https://www.chevrolet.com/content/dam/chevrolet/na/us/english/index/performance/resources/installation-guides/crate-engines/01-images/ls3-and-ls9-e-rod-crate-engine-control-system-40-tooth-and-17-tooth.pdf

2.) Double check the instructions. (Page 7 looks interesting, I'll need to take the car to a dealership for a test of some sort prior to smogging it.)

3.) As far as legality with the swap, totally legal and doesn't neccisarily need to be reviewed by a ref, since it is 1995 and older. He sited some CA law, but didnt get the full 6-digit code.

But he did recommend getting a "Virtual" referee appointment.

The call is setup so that the ref can talk to you over the phone as long as you need to assure everything is good to go. You can even go to them in person for a BAR sticker.

But with the EO (Executive Order) number that each engine comes with you should only need to show that to any smog shop in the state and they can run the car.

The big thing again are the instructions, as long as they are followed all they care about is the motor passing emissions. The manual states where the CATs need to be placed, but our setup requires them to be flipped, so that may be the only small let's find out area.

Going to dive into this once the car is at my house in the next couple of months and get this going.

I'll have a full thread of the build soon.

[smwalker]

Originally Posted by almostordinary

Just got off the phone with the Ref. Here's what he said.

3.) As far as legality with the swap, totally legal and doesn't neccisarily need to be reviewed by a ref, since it is 1995 and older. He sited some CA law, but didnt get the full 6-digit code.

But he did recommend getting a "Virtual" referee appointment.

The call is setup so that the ref can talk to you over the phone as long as you need to assure everything is good to go. You can even go to them in person for a BAR sticker.

But with the EO (Executive Order) number that each engine comes with you should only need to show that to any smog shop in the state and they can run the car.

.

So this issue seems to fall under the standard bearocracy that exists in CA in that if you call back and ask a different ref the same question you will get a different answer. Regardless of what they say I would recommend you go through the all the steps with the Referee for one reason only..To get the Referee sticker. I will explain why it's so valuable.

You Stated: But with the EO (Executive Order) number that each engine comes with you should only need to show that to any smog shop in the state and they can run the car.

That would work in theory but here is how it will work in the real world. The first thing any smog inspector looks at is the emissions control sticker under the hood so he can determine what equipment is supposed to be on the engine. If it is not there they have a book they look up the year make and model and engine size.

So they look it up and get a list. AIR pump? That's not on your engine. EGR? I do not see any EGR on this engine. Should have 2 cats? Why do you have 4 cats?

Then you say. Oh no see this sticker it's an aftermarket approved engine package.

Inspector: Oh Well that's an engine change then, needs the Referee Sticker. And they refuse to inspect it .

Now imagine going from shop to shop until someone is willing to do it. They look up the E-rod EO document and see the parts list. Well now they have to google what the parts look like in order to insure the correct parts are on there. That is what the Referee is supposed to do but they have to go through the process every 2 years? They are not going to do that, ' it's too much hassle. They will tell you go to the Referee, get a Referee label that lists the parts that are supposed to be on there so I don't have to figure it out. Because remember if these guys get it wrong they are looking at a $2000 mine minimum from the state, If the ref says it's OK and puts on a sticker they got a defense.

Now will you find inspectors that are willing to do it with no referee label? Sure 1 in 20 I would say.
With a Referee Label in place? 20 out of 20.

I think the referee only charges about $100 for the Engine change process but that gets you a free pass to easy smogs at any inspection station the rest of the time you own that vehicle.

My 2 cents anyway.

[almostordinary]

All valid points. I’ll be getting a red appointment when the swaps fully underway to make sure there are no hurdles for smog.

[smwalker]

This is the magical sticker that get you easy smogs in CA!!

[Mr jamo]

Can’t wait to see this build progress!